§ 52. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many and which pictures with their names and artists now in the custody of or belonging to the Tate Gallery are not on public exhibition; why they are not on public 1146 exhibition; where they are; and how long they have not been on public exhibition and why.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Henry Brooke)There are over 4,000 pictures at the Tate Gallery, of which about 1,200 are exhibited at present. I regret I cannot supply a complete list of the remaining 2,800 which are either in the reserve collection—where they can be viewed on application—or on loan. I cannot say how long each particular picture has been in the reserve collection, as individual records are not kept.
In replying to the hon. Member on 26th and 30th July I have explained why some pictures are exhibited while others are not.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister not really think that this non-disclosure of large numbers of pictures is inconsistent with the purposes of the Tate, and unfair to the artists and to the public? Will he take steps to see that pictures are sent to galleries which can and will exhibit them, such as, for instance, the Lane pictures to the Dublin Art Gallery?
§ Mr. BrookeThe pictures are freely lent to galleries in this country. The same pictures do not always remain on exhibition. The object is to provide for visitors a varied collection of exhibits, changing from time to time. As to the Lane pictures, the hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware that I answered a Question of his on that matter yesterday.
§ Sir R. BoothbyIs it not rather odd that no records of these pictures are kept? What happens if one of them goes astray, if there is no record kept?
§ Mr. BrookeWe keep records of the pictures but I did not think I could very well circulate in HANSARD a list of 2,800 pictures and the names of the artists. What we do not keep is a record of the exact period during which each picture is on exhibition or in store.